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COUGAR FANS: I am looking at the Fonderie Miniature Cougar in 1/48 scale as my next build. My first look at it was not positive since the surface pebbling leaves much to be desired. But, I found the plastic to be not too hard and the pebbling seemed to be pretty easy to adequately smooth out. But then I had panel lines to think about. Such is modeling!

This kit is obviously, at least to me, based upon the Monogram F9F Panther kit, a fact that I find comforting given the outline of the Monogram Panther and the apparent accuracy of the panel lines albeit they are raised. Can work with that.

And it is obvious that the interior and other cavities, such as the nose gear well and dive brake stuff are based upon the Monogram Panther - all good. BTW, the Monogram canopy is a perfect fit to the FM kit.

OK - I've made some statements of my impression of the FM F9F-8 Cougar.

I built one awhile ago, so I'm kinda foggy on the details. I don't remember there being any huge issues. It's a pretty easy shape. It was easier than the Collect Aire kit, IIRC. It builds up into a nice looking Cougar.

Pretty challenging kit. The surface of the plastic is terrible. Almost like an orange peel effect. Fit left a lot to be desired. Here is how mine turned out. I was pretty new to modeling when I built it, so your results would probably be better.

Brandon - Thank you for your post. Your results with this kit are very encouraging. If I can just begin to match your work I will be ecstatic!! Looks like the decals went down pretty well. Very nice work!

Brandon - Thank you for your post. Your results with this kit are very encouraging. If I can just begin to match your work I will be ecstatic!! Looks like the decals went down pretty well. Very nice work!

My pleasure! Like I said the kit leaves a lot to be desired, but can be built up into a decent representation. For the surface pebbling I just sanded it down and the sprayed it down with a couple of thick coats of Mr Surfacer thinned down and sprayed as primer, and then sanded it down again. It did not get rid of the pebbling totally, aand the gloss coat really shows it off, but if you are going to do a subject with a flat coat, or not as glossy then it will look fine. As you stated the plastic is really soft. One other thing I wish I would have done is sanded the transparencies down with some 6000-12000 to polish them out better before the future dip. As you can see they are thick and not very clear. The speed brakes are a real pain, and a lot of the build up on them are done with provided PE in the Kit. The decals are not bad, but I messed the ones up that go around the stabs, so I just ended up painting them. Just get in the mindset that you are going to be using some putty, and it should turn out pretty good for you. Like the others have stated it would be nice to see the Cougar kitted up to modern standards. It such a beautiful aircraft.

Hmmm... IF (and that's a big IF) Revell-Monogram were to use the F9F-5 as a basis for a F9F-6/8 series, what would they really to make as a new-tooled parts? Wings, stabs, fuselage, and wing pylons, right? The IFR would be a seperate part. The most radical evolution would be the F9F-8T. The F9F-8P could be handled with a seperate/modular mold like the F9F-5/5P.

That is, IF they wanted to do it and IF they didn't want to make a 100% new kit. Am I right?

__________________
I understand that political opinions are like an anus and we each have one.
My point is "Why don't you keep both of YOURS to YOURSELF on a modelling site?"